Battle of the Chillies to be fought once again in Morinville

By Stephen Dafoe

Morinville – Mild, medium or hot, pots will soon be boiling in Morinville as beans and other ingredients are mixed and nurtured in preparation for the Second Annual Battle of the Chillies at the Morinville Famer’s Market. The competition, set to take place Sept. 7, pits chili cooks against one another for a chance to be the top chili maker in one of three chili style categories.

Farmers’ Market Manager Korien Sampson said after the overwhelming success of last year’s event, people have been eager to see its return. “I’ve had customers actually coming up to me in March asking if we were going to do the Second Annual Chili Cook-Off because they had so much fun,” she said. “I think part of that excitement and enthusiasm from different people who want to do the competition just makes me more excited.”

That idea will burst out of the pot and into the bowl Sept. 7. Sampson said the same simple rules will apply as last year. “Come with a hot pot of chili,” she said, adding registration is $15 per competitor and entries forms are available at the Morinville Community Library. “There’s no age restriction and businesses can enter as well. The cut off is Tuesday, September 4th.”

Pick your heat

Contestants can choose to enter the mild Beanies for Wienies category, the medium Chili Chili Bang Bang category or and the hot Blazing Saddles category. Participants will be given a number and the contest’s three judges will not know who made what pot of chili. Judging will take place at noon.

Again this year, prizes for mild, medium and hot winners are being gathered from local businesses, but Sampson believes the real glory is in being the best chili maker in Morinville for 2012 as well as helping the Friends of the Morinville Public Library. After the judging, chili will then be sold for $2 per bowl with half the proceeds being used as a fund raiser for the non-profit group.

Sampson is hoping chili cooks will come out and support the event. “Make great chil and have some fun,” she said. “I’m looking forward to doing this again this year.”

The Morinville Farmer’s Market runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays until the end of September. It is located in the Parish Hall parking lot.

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1 Comment

  1. Why the $15 registration??

    I understand that it is a fundraiser but to make the chili it will cost those who want to help the library, $20-$30 just to make the chili. That is up to $45 to help out!

    The library will still make the money from selling the chili!! Perhaps sell it for $3/bowl.

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